Objective: Participants will reflect on their definition of effective technology integration. What is considered evidence of effective technology integration?
Read the following research summaries and add evidence to your list of what makes technology integration effective.
Summary 1
Sivin-Kachela and Bialo (1998) found that students in "technology-rich environments" experienced positive effects on achievement in all major subject areas. Both studies found more positive attitudes toward learning among students using technology.
Summary 2
Wenglinsky (1998) found that technology has an impact on student performance in math and science, but only when it is tied to high-quality professional development, and when it encourages higher-order thinking skills.
Summary 3
Schacter (1999) cites evidence that technology use is "less effective or ineffective when the learning objectives are unclear and the focus of technology use is diffuse."
Identify Criteria for Effective Use of Technology
Review the student work below and list features of effective use of technology shown in the samples.
After reviewing the student work, brainstorm the distinguishing features of effective technology integration.
After sharing your ideas with the group, review the Criteria for Effective Use of Technology and compare the features.
Criteria for Effective Use of Technology
Technology is an effective tool in education when:
A) It helps to make the teaching and learning process more efficient or productive. For example:
Does the use of technology help students be more productive or make the product more efficient?
Does the use of technology enrich and extend student learning?
Does the use of technology help support instructional goals?
Would the lesson produce high-quality student work?
Do you think the use of technology increased student motivation?
How could this lesson be improved?
Complete these sentences describing the lesson.
"This lesson meets (criteria). The lesson could be improved by (suggestion) because (missing criteria)."
Modify a Lesson
You are now going to write a lesson plan for an activity that effectively integrates technology. Use your own lesson plan template, download LessonPlan.doc, or use the one in your Participants Workbook. Remember to consider the criteria for effective use of technology.
If you wish to adapt an existing lesson plan or activity, feel free to use the resources listed below.
Online Technology-Rich Activities and Lessons
Bernie Dodge's WebQuest Matrix
WebQuests are inquiry activities that make extensive use of online resources?once on the WebQuest home page, click [Top] on the left-hand navigation bar to see a list of WebQuests. Microsoft Classroom Corner
Lesson plans and activities that incorporate technology, with a focus on Microsoft products
Technology-Rich Lesson Plans http://sf018.k12.sd.us/LOFTI/minigrant_index.htm
Lessons from DIAL Learning Communities, listed by subject and grade
EconEdLink
Economics lesson plans and activities from the National Council on Economic Education Xpeditions
Geography lesson plans from the National Geographic Society Edsitement
Lesson plans for all of the humanities from the National Endowment for the Humanities Illuminations
Math lesson plans and activities from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Science NetLinks
Science lesson plans and activities from the American Association for the Advancement of Science ArtsEdge
Arts-based curricula, lessons, and activities from the Kennedy Center Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Spreadsheets
Lesson plans and ideas for using spreadsheets in your classroom
What is effective technology integration?
Objective: Participants will reflect on their definition of effective technology integration.What is considered evidence of effective technology integration?
Read the following research summaries and add evidence to your list of what makes technology integration effective.
Summary 1
Sivin-Kachela and Bialo (1998) found that students in "technology-rich environments" experienced positive effects on achievement in all major subject areas. Both studies found more positive attitudes toward learning among students using technology.
Summary 2
Wenglinsky (1998) found that technology has an impact on student performance in math and science, but only when it is tied to high-quality professional development, and when it encourages higher-order thinking skills.
Summary 3
Schacter (1999) cites evidence that technology use is "less effective or ineffective when the learning objectives are unclear and the focus of technology use is diffuse."
Identify Criteria for Effective Use of Technology
Review the student work below and list features of effective use of technology shown in the samples.Roller Coaster Examples:
Suggestion: Right click on the links below and select "Open new window"
After reviewing the student work, brainstorm the distinguishing features of effective technology integration.
After sharing your ideas with the group, review the Criteria for Effective Use of Technology and compare the features.
Criteria for Effective Use of Technology
Technology is an effective tool in education when:
A) It helps to make the teaching and learning process more efficient or productive. For example:
- Word processing software
- E-mail
- Internet
B) It helps enrich or extend student learning in a way that would not have been possible without the technology. For example:- Spreadsheets
- WebQuests
- Simulations
C) It helps students produce quality work using professional tools. For example:- CAD software
- Publishing software
- Web pages
D) It increases student motivation to accomplish learning objectives. For example:Evaluate Lesson Plans
Review the lesson plans listed in the table below.Identify one lesson or activity in the subject or grade level that you teach.
A Vacation to the Polar Regions
Your Changing Town
Down on the Farm WebQuest
Exploring Pioneer America
Making Money with Lemons
My Hero
Once Upon a Thank You
Journey of a Water Molecule WebQuest
Culture Shock
Candy is Dandy
Do Vampires Really Exist?
Friends, Romans, Countrymen
The Art and Science of Fractals
Addiction WebQuest
Personal Budget WebQuest
Seasons: Why They're Essential
Globalization
Piracy: A Continuing Problem
Bridging the Generation Gap
Literary Scavenger Hunt
Traits R Us!
Small Business WebQuest
Fastball Physics
- What kind of technology was used?
- Does the use of technology help students be more productive or make the product more efficient?
- Does the use of technology enrich and extend student learning?
- Does the use of technology help support instructional goals?
- Would the lesson produce high-quality student work?
- Do you think the use of technology increased student motivation?
- How could this lesson be improved?
Complete these sentences describing the lesson."This lesson meets (criteria). The lesson could be improved by (suggestion) because (missing criteria)."
Modify a Lesson
You are now going to write a lesson plan for an activity that effectively integrates technology. Use your own lesson plan template, download LessonPlan.doc, or use the one in your Participants Workbook. Remember to consider the criteria for effective use of technology.If you wish to adapt an existing lesson plan or activity, feel free to use the resources listed below.
Online Technology-Rich Activities and Lessons
Bernie Dodge's WebQuest MatrixWebQuests are inquiry activities that make extensive use of online resources?once on the WebQuest home page, click [Top] on the left-hand navigation bar to see a list of WebQuests.
Microsoft Classroom Corner
Lesson plans and activities that incorporate technology, with a focus on Microsoft products
Technology-Rich Lesson Plans
http://sf018.k12.sd.us/LOFTI/minigrant_index.htm
Lessons from DIAL Learning Communities, listed by subject and grade
EconEdLink
Economics lesson plans and activities from the National Council on Economic Education
Xpeditions
Geography lesson plans from the National Geographic Society
Edsitement
Lesson plans for all of the humanities from the National Endowment for the Humanities
Illuminations
Math lesson plans and activities from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Science NetLinks
Science lesson plans and activities from the American Association for the Advancement of Science
ArtsEdge
Arts-based curricula, lessons, and activities from the Kennedy Center
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Spreadsheets
Lesson plans and ideas for using spreadsheets in your classroom